Dennis Lee Gelhar, age 62 of Boise, ID, formerly of Berlin, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, November 3, 2011.
He was born in Berlin August 7, 1949, the second son of Donald and Ferne Gelhar. As a young boy growing up on a dairy farm, he became involved in 4-H, receiving many county and state Holstein Championships. Dennis was active in FFA, baseball, and wrestling throughout his high school years. Dennis was a 1967 graduate of Berlin High School. He attended the University of Wisconsin Madison and Moraine Park Vocational School in Fond du Lac.
Dennis married his wife, Ellen, on April 3, 1971. He enjoyed many hobbies including
raising and showing parakeets and cocker spaniels, and he belonged to the Boise Bonsai
Club. Dennis was an avid Green Bay Packer and Boise State football fan. In 1993, the
Gelhar family moved to Boise ID where Dennis and Ellen attended Bible School for two
years.
In 1983, Dennis accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and served Him until he
was called home on November 3, 2011.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ellen; daughters Angela and Valarie; son
Gregory and his wife, Edith; and grandson Micah; brother Orin and his wife Gloria;
niece Narin and Nephew Jarin. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; and an
infant sister.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 12 at 2:00 p.m. at Barbola Funeral
Chapel in Berlin, the Rev. David Sielaff officiating. Inurnment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends and relatives on Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m. The family
requests memorial donations in lieu of flowers.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at barbolafc@yahoo.com